In 1972, United States President Richard Nixon visited the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to open diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The American president’s historic visit and subsequent efforts indisputably ended 25 years of isolation between the United States and the People’s Republic of China and resulted in establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1979 which paved the way to the strong economic ties that bind the two countries today. (Quotes courtesy of L.A. Times)
Nixon’s staffers worked exhaustively behind the scenes to ensure the president’s trip to have the biggest possible impact on television audiences in the U.S. And, as according to plannned, the media coverage of the trip was extensive and extremely positive.
Many still consider Nixon’s visit to China as the most important American summit meeting ever.
Today, Top Rank’s Bob Arum, perhaps the most powerful man in boxing, seeks to mimic in boxing what President Nixon arguably achieved in diplomacy some 41 years ago. The 81 year old promoter sees China as a future pay-per-view gold mine and is attempting to open the Chinese markets to boxing and bridge the wide gap between China and the Sweet Science.
And while there have been a few sporadic foreign boxing and MMA fight cards to have recently taken place in China, Mr. Arum is seeking something much more. He’s looking to cultivate a long-term relationship between Top Rank and the PRC.
Given China’s population of roughly 1.34 billion, if Arum can do what Nixon did, it would be a major win for the sport ? and the Chinese.
U.S. President Richard Nixon meets with Chairman Mao Zedong in Beijing, February 21, 1972.
So what better way to achieve this than showcase Manny Pacquiao, arguably the world’s most popular active athlete, in a must-win situation against an elite and exciting but lesser-experienced opponent in Brandon Rios?
Sure, China is home to two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Zou Shiming (2-0 in the pros) but can Shiming provide the intrigue and excitement of Manny Pacquiao?
PacMan is an international star and folk hero who fights in a crowd-pleasing style and hails from a country relatively close to the Mainland.
And yes, Mr . Arum is making the right choice by making Pacquiao vs Rios free to viwers in China. It’s a good investment and if the Chinese like what they see, Top Rank believes pay-per-view boxing could eventually flourish ? or at least survive ? there at $5-$6 per buy in the not-too-distant future.
“You do 20 Million USD in sales and that’s $100 Million USD in revenue,” asserted Arum.
Pacquiao Must Win? In order for Arum to sell Pacquiao to the Chinese, the superstar has to win ? and decisively. Boxing can do without controversy when Pacquiao faces Rios November 23rd. A PacMan loss or controversial win probably won’t make marketing him, or the sport, to the Chinese any easier. After all, boxers on 3-fight losing streaks aren’t very marketable.
Can Rios Resonate in China? Stranger things in sports have happened but it’s hard to see the Chinese warming up to Rios should he upset Pacquiao. He’s an American of Mexican descent who lives in a far away land that’s much different than China. To the Chinese, the extraordinarily resilient Rios is probably a nameless, faceless fighter from the other side of the world.
Will the Chinese shell out $5 to see Rios in a PPV against an opponent who is Manny Pacquiao?
It’s possible but not likely. Nevertheless, Rios also fights in a fan-friendly style and is extremely enaging outside the ring. The idea of him becoming a hit in China may not be as remote as it may seem.
Nixon, Kissinger, Pacquiao and Arum Just as President Nixon was dependent on his trusted sidekick, then Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, to help initiate and facilitate Sino-American diplomatic relations 40+ years ago, Bob Arum is depending on Manny Pacquiao to sign, seal and deliver his opponent.
And while an electrifying Pacquiao performance won’t guarantee China’s interest in or acceptance of the Sweet Science, it certainly may be a first step in the right direction.
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Pacquiao vs Rios Date: November 23rd Location: Macao, China Time: 9PM ET, 6PM CT Broadcast: HBO PPV (U.S.)
China Facts (Source: Random Facts) Boxing was banned there from 1959 to 1986
The Boxer Rebellion between 1898 and 1901 in northern China, launched by the “Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists” (Yihequan or I-ho-ch’uan), got its name because its members practiced weaponless martial arts as well as secret rituals. Westerns called it “shadow boxing” and the members “Boxers.”
One in every five people in the world is Chinese
Fortune cookies are not a traditional Chinese custom. They were invented in 1920 by a worker in the Key Heong Noodle Factory in San Francisco.
Despite its large size (4th largest land area in the world) all of China is in one time zone.
Many historians assert the sport of soccer (football in Europe) originated in China around 1000 B.C.
Ping-pong, which started in Britain and is known there as “table tennis”, is one of the most popular games in China.
Stamp collecting is the most popular hobby
Martial arts are practiced throughout China and were largely developed from ancient farming and hunting methods
The bicycle is the primary transportation for millions of Chinese
